HPC v BDR
2021 Update:
https://www.lotus7.club/guides/technical-information/cosworth-engines
https://motor-car.net/cosworth-engines/item/13787-cosworth-bda-engines
In 1983, the BD series saw its second road engine incarnation (the first being the original BDA and BDB), the BDR, which was a BDA or BDB sold in kit form for the Caterham Super Seven in 1601 cc (120 bhp) and in 1701 cc (130 bhp) formats.
I am interested information, about my BDR. Had a very interesting chat with Guy Munday (thank you Guy) and then wrote this, I now think probably better asked in here.
I also want to nail down this HPC BDR business . I have never even thought to claim mine is an HPC and when asked have always simply said "no, it is a BDR". Which is how it was sold to me and I have always been and remain happy with that. Bruce explained the other day that all cars of that era had the same chassis which simply evolved as time went by. My current view is that there are HPC cars and BDR cars which are not HPC. The HPC moniker having been derived from the High Performance Club of which I was a member back then, trained by John Lyon. Indeed I later look the course again in my BDR. My current interest is to identify whether there any differences between my car and the HPC so that I can answer that question both for anyone who asks and for me. Also to rebut anyone who claims my car is not a BDR, as has occasionally happened. If they mean "not an HPC" that is fine; but to avoid pissing me off , that distinction is important
Bruce rightly guessed my chassis is KLDxxxx
It was bought as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) and thus not "ready for final assembly of the last 20 parts" . The engine was bought direct from Cosworth, though Guy says they did not supply direct so someone must have built it. It had (still has) enhancements such as i i r c steel pistons. Regret I was not really listening and this was around 13 years ago.
I have briefly looked over factory HPC cars and can see no difference. Again Guy mentioned that they did not have cycle wings. See comment below which contradicts this.
So, hoping we might talk about it. Links welcome.
edit Seems to me an S3 of any given era, is an S3. Then we define it by the type of engine we put in it. The HPC was an exception because it was named after the ultimate driver training course of the time, which was bundled in the price. The standard course of that ere was three or two days including track time at Cadwell Park and Miras. The 1977 retail price of the course was around £300 iirc so adjus for ten years for the HPC cars
From Magnificent Sevens:
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